Public Allies Seeking Partners for MLK Day of Service Projects!

Public Allies Connecticut - AmeriCorps is starting the process of planning for our annual MLKDayof Service, scheduled to take place on Monday,MLKDay, Jan 21st, 2019. As an AmeriCorps program, we observe the MLKDay holiday as a "DayOn" in Service to honor the legacy of Dr. King, while engaging in a reflective practice around our ongoing struggle for equity and justice. As we have in the past, we are putting a call out to our network for potential ServiceDaypartners.

We're looking for organizations that have a capacity need or small project that could be addressed/ completed in roughly 4-5 hours by a team of anywhere from 3-30 Allies on Jan 21st. Some examples of previous projects have included:

Renovating office space and helping a nonprofit downsize

Sorting household donations and winterizing apartments for refugees

Running activities at guiding event attendees at the annualMLKDayevent

Distributing outreach information about programs and services related to financial literacy, healthy food access, and much more through door-knocking or tabling at community events.

We're open to all this and much more!

So if you have a project in mind, no matter how large or small, that you think a group of motivated Allies could tackle between roughly 10 am and 2 or 3 pm on Jan 21st, please let me know. We're hoping to recruit enough partner organizations to be able to host additional volunteers, including Alumni, members of sister AmeriCorps programs, and friends and families.

To start a planning conversation, please complete this very short interest form by Dec 19th, 2018. Of course, if you are unable to partner but know another organization that might be interested, please feel free to forward this message.

Neighborhoods: What is Working

Open Street Project

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

With initial funding from the city, foundations and banks, the new LISC Charlotte office opened its doors last week and announced its first program activity—a $25,000 capacity-building grant for Historic West End Partners, a high-impact local nonprofit. LISC Charlotte expects to invest at least $25 million to promote economic opportunity in the city’s neighborhoods over the next few years.

Only by reckoning with the past are we able to create a society that honors the dignity and wellbeing of all Americans. In recognition of Women’s History Month, we shine a spotlight on three LISC sites where our work is led by women and supports women in the communities we serve—and aims to build a future where everyone can thrive and prosper.

Dale Royal, a community developer with 30 years’ experience bringing economic development, affordable housing and transportation opportunities to underserved neighborhoods, will be the inaugural executive director of LISC’s newest office in Atlanta, GA. LISC has already invested $18 million in Atlanta for workforce and youth development projects, and our SBA lending affiliate, immito, has just closed its first transformative loan in the city. Royal’s arrival will take that commitment to another level, leveraging his expertise in connecting communities with the capital to help them flourish.